Our Bureau
Mumbai
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked at a gurdwara in Maharashtra’s Nanded on Thursday, prompting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to order a detailed investigation into the security breach. Badal sustained injury to his hand and was reported to be in stable condition following the incident.
The attacker was identified as 62-year-old Jaspal Singh, who had reportedly been working as a sevadar at the gurdwara for nearly two years. Security personnel intervened quickly and detained him, preventing the situation from escalating. Reports said Badal was at the religious complex when the attack took place.
Fadnavis spoke to the Nanded superintendent of police and directed authorities to conduct a thorough probe. The Maharashtra government also assured that security arrangements would be reviewed and appropriate action taken based on the findings.
The incident drew condemnation from political and Sikh religious leaders, who stressed that violence has no place at a sacred religious site. Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon and Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj condemned the attack, while the SAD questioned how the security arrangements had failed to prevent it.
The attack comes nearly two years after Badal survived a separate attack at the Golden Temple in Amritsar in December 2024. The latest incident has therefore renewed concerns about security surrounding the SAD leader, particularly during visits to prominent religious sites.
Authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding Thursday’s attack, including the attacker’s background and possible motive. Police have yet to establish a definitive reason for the incident, and officials are expected to examine security arrangements and the sequence of events at the gurdwara as part of the probe.